AS THE NIGHT flowed on so did the shots. Trish and I decided to ditch the regular drinks and just stuck to our tequila. Shot after shot after shot. I was back in the saddle alright, and the tequila was the only way I was making it through the night.
Gino was also pounding his Walker on ice as if they were water, all I could hope for was to make it to tomorrow without a confrontation with my husband. However, he seemed to be in a good mood, so that could work in my favor. He’s actually kind of fun when he’s in a good mood, and I’m not disappointing him. But I don’t want to think about that tonight.
The food was amazing, music was playing loudly, and people were dancing and mingling everywhere. No one seemed to give a shit about me never making anything of myself; instead they were focused on my wealthy husband. Me making anything of myself was a non-issue, which was fine with me.
While Gino was busy with old classmates, looking to pick up any new client he could, Trish and I hit the dance floor.
I was pleasantly feeling the effects of all the alcohol I had consumed, and the music was making me antsy. I needed to let off some steam and dancing was the perfect way. The music would take me away. Let me be free even if it was short-lived.
As Trish and I danced like two drunk teenagers, without a care in the world, I got a glimpse of Luther’s table, not far from where we were dancing. He wasn’t looking in my direction at all, instead all his attention was on the blonde bimbo he was with. I had left Gino on the other side of the room behind me, so I watched.
I watched as my body continued to move seductively to the music. I watched him rub her thigh and the way she looked at him as though she wanted him to fuck her right there on the table. I watched as he leaned in whispering something in her ear, and the blonde bimbo giggled and flushed in response.
What my alcohol induced hazed brain couldn’t grasp was that the blonde bimbo was not his wife. Where was his wife? The blonde bimbo is probably one of his many homewrecking whores. I mean what is it that they say. Once a cheat always a cheat, right? Then why the fuck can’t I shake the overwhelming jealousy that’s got me in its grasp and won’t let go? It’s been ten years and he’s fucking married, not to mention I am too now.
Still I couldn’t take my eyes off them and once again I’m reduced to a peeping Jane, only this time he’s out in the open and not behind closed doors. I tried to distract myself and turned to Trish but now she was seductively dancing with some guy. Some guy I don’t at all recognize from school, but that’s the thing with her open marriage, they are both free to have other partners, so this wasn’t an unexpected sight.
Saying, fuck it all, I closed my eyes and let the music take me away completely. Just me, myself, and I, my body leading the way to the beat of the music. Losing all sense of time, I had no idea how long I had been dancing that way, but I was drenched in sweat and my muscles started to burn, but it felt like heaven.
As the music changed the tone from a pounding driving beat to a slower more sensual beat, I contemplated calling it quits, but I didn’t want to just yet. My eyes fluttered open, while my body was still taking a seductive course, and locked onto brilliant green ones, watching me back intently.
I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. I just stood there, body still moving, staring back, until Trish’s voice snapped me out of my trance.
“Hey, what were you staring at? Anything good? Some nice juicy professor eye candy?” She bopped her eyebrows up and down, but before I could deny or object she followed my line of sight and figured it out anyway. “I knew it!”
“Okay, enough. Don’t even start. There was and still is a very good reason why things between us came to a halt before we even really had a chance to get started, remember?”
“C’mon I need to sit for a few.” She hooked her arm around mine, heading back to the table. “By the way I’m calling your bluff.”
“Excuse me?” I let out a small giggle. “There’s no bluff to call. You were there, you already know this.”
“Yeah but so what, he was your married professor. You only had a few weeks before school was finished, then you would’ve been in the clear, you just had to wait it out a little longer, and you threw it away.”
“And his wife? What should I have done about her, huh? Should I have just overlooked her and continued some torrid affair? I wasn’t about to become a homewrecker.”
“Do I need to point out the obvious? I love you, and all, but you were already the homewrecking whore, babe.”
“Yeah, but to be fair, I didn’t know I was. When I found out he was married I ended it immediately. That’s it, end of story. Like I said no bluff to call.”
“Yes, but you didn’t even give him a chance to explain. Look at me and Parker, we are great and happy by the way, so given his other indulgences, how do you know she wouldn’t have been totally fine with it?”
“Trish, not everyone is you and Parker. I’m really am very happy for you two but even if she was into all that, what makes you think I would have wanted that kind of relationship?” I sighed; I didn’t want to go over this again for the millionth time with her.
We hit the table and I noticed that Gino wasn’t there, so I scanned the room to see where he could be, but nothing. I couldn’t see him anywhere, and Trish made her appreciation known for being able to sit.
“Oh god to just sit feels so good,” groaning as she said it. “Anyway, I hear what you’re saying but forget about then, what about now? What’s stopping you now, huh? That is clearly not his wife he’s here getting all feely with, and you’re married to the biggest douche alive who makes you his punching bag every chance he gets, so the question is what about now? That yummy professor candy over there is the love of your life, so go get him!” Her voice elevated with irritation. The alcohol clearly making her just spit whatever she’s thinking out loud, not giving any concern for the fact that my husband could be anywhere and overhear.
“Shh. What the hell is wrong with you? You pick here to have this particular conversation? I took vows Trish. It’s not that easy to just say fuck my life.” Anger bubbling inside, but the alcohol confusing my brain; I’m not sure exactly what part of this conversation I’m pissed at. I haven’t even acknowledged the love of my life part because there is no use in trying to deny it to her, when we both know he is.
“Oh, I’m sorry, was abuse included in those vows you took? Right, I didn’t think so, and you don’t have to put up with it just because you exchanged a couple of obviously meaningless words. You have honored your vows, Laney; he’s the one that hasn’t. I’m just saying you deserve to be happy. Go get your happy!” Her voice now almost to a shout laced with sarcasm, thank God, the music pretty much drowned it out.
I rushed to her side sitting in the seat next to her as close as I could get.
“You need to keep your voice down and quit shouting. I get it okay? I do, but…” but what exactly? I couldn’t think of one but. Trish was right; I deserved to be happy instead of being miserable for the rest of my life.
“See, you can’t even give me one excuse, and where is your husband of the year anyway? I haven’t seen him in a while. He’s probably off somewhere fucking some skank! It’s not like it would be the first time.” Pausing to calm herself down. “Look, I’m sorry.” Taking my hands in hers, “I shouldn’t have brought any of this up especially here, but you’re my best friend, my family, and I can’t sit by any longer watching you get beat up and pounced on over and over again and do nothing. I won’t do it. Things must change, Laney. I’m sure it’s hard for you but you’re not alone, I’m here for you and will help you anyway I can, but you need to file for a divorce. Press charges against the motherfucker if he refuses. You have leverage.”
Tears started to form from her words. The funny thing is, I don’t know why. She hit the nail on the head. I should have filed a long time ago.
“Thank you.” It was all I could say, giving her a sad smile.
“Don’t look so sad, it will be a good thing, you’ll see.” Giving me a big smile, she leaned over giving me a big hug.
“Okay enough of all that talk. I have to pee so freaking bad, if I don’t my bladder is going to burst.” Both of us finally back to laughing.
“Perfect, you go to the bathroom and I’ll get us a couple more shots!”
Getting up I smiled bright at my friend, “Shots it is then.” Not that we really needed anymore, but we hadn’t achieved our goal yet, and after that conversation I definitely need more.